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A fairytale performance for kids

Members of Guelph Symphony Orchestra bring Hansel, Gretel and the Witch to the stage Saturday, February 3

GUELPH, ON January 19, 2018 – Take part in a fun-filled adventure in the deep dark woods when members of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra perform kid-friendly performances of Hansel, Gretel and the Witch on Saturday, February 3, at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The performances are presented in Co-operators Hall as part of the Wooly Kinderconcerts Series.

Wooly Kinderconcerts introduce children aged five and under to the rich variety of instruments and sounds of the symphony. Members of the Guelph Symphony Orchestra play samplings of works by great composers, which provide the soundtrack to fun, interactive stories that plant the seeds for a lifelong appreciation of music. Kinderconcerts are hands-on experiences children learn from and remember.

Featuring the work of 19th century German composer Engelbert Humperdinck, Hansel, Gretel and the Witch follows a brother and sister on what begins as an innocent stroll into the forest. It’s a journey that soon leads to a misadventure involving a dew fairy, comical witch, house made of gingerbread and, of course, plenty of music. Narrated by Joe Ringhofer, Hansel, Gretel and the Witch features flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn.

The Kinderconcert version of Hansel, Gretel and the Witch is based on Humperdinck’s opera Hansel and Gretel. It is believed the idea for the opera originated when the composer’s sister, Adelheid Wette, requested her brother compose music for songs she had written for her children based on the famous tale by the Brothers Grimm. Humperdinck composed the opera between 1891 and 1892 and it premiered in December 1893. It has since been performed and reimagined by opera companies around the world.

Tickets to see Hansel, Gretel and the Witch cost $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, and $11 for children 14 and under. $5 eyeGO tickets are available to high school students with valid ID. Please note that everyone attending this performance must have a ticket, including infants and children. Tickets can be purchased at River Run Centre box office, 35 Woolwich St. in Guelph, by calling 519-763-3000, or online at riverrun.ca/hansel-gretel-the-witch-humperdinck.